APPENDIX 5
Memorandum submitted by the Northern Ireland
Association of Citizens Advice Bureau
REFORM OF
LEGAL AID
IN NORTHERN
IRELAND
Further to our recent telephone conversation,
I am enclosing a copy of CAB's written submission to the NI Court
Service.[11]
I am also enclosing for your information a copy of the submission
made by the Advice Services Alliance.
Our main additional comment on the issue since
the publication of CM 4849 is our strong disappointment at the
lack of a specific commitment from government to bring forward
legislation which would clear the way for voluntary advice agencies
in Northern Ireland to employ qualified solicitors with rights
of representation in court. At present this is controlled by the
Law Society in Northern Ireland via a system of waivers. This
Association wrote to the Law Society in December and on one occasion
since seeking information on the process of obtaining a waiver.
To date we have had no reply. We view this reform as crucial to
engaging the voluntary advice sector in the contracting process.
9 February 2001
11 See the list of unprinted papers, p. xvi. Back
|